Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan has sought the support of the African Union (AU) Special Envoy for Infrastructure Raila Amolo Odinga to settle some issues that have hampered trade relations with some African nations.

Pandjaitan noted in a statement here on Wednesday that Indonesia and Africa should work swifter to settle some issues that might hamper trade relations in spite of the keenness of Indonesian energy and infrastructure firms to invest in the region.

The minister held a meeting with the African Union special envoy on the sidelines of the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue (IAID) 2019 in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Tuesday.

Pandjaitan had sought Odinga's support to finalize the free trade negotiations with Mozambique and Kenya.

Pandjaitan, concurrently head of the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Development Task Force, opined that the African Union can serve as an entry point for cooperation with its member nations.

In the meantime, Odinga affirmed that the African Union had played a role to harmonize infrastructure development among its 54 member countries.

With Indonesia's fast economic growth, Odinga believes that the country is a potential partner for development in the continent.

"We invite Indonesian companies to take part in the development of infrastructure, such as toll road, bridges, railways, as well as in industries, such as petrochemical industry, copper, aluminum, and medicines," he stated.

Odinga remarked that Kenya had outlined four major agenda in its development, specifically affordable housing, health, food, and industry.

Pandjaitan has held bilateral meetings with Equatorial Guinea's Minister of Defense Leandro Ncogo and Public Works and Public Housing Minister Diosdado Nsue Medja, as well as Madagascar's Economic Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato.

Minister Ncogo voiced his country's keenness to cooperate with Indonesia in the areas of defense and training for paramedics, while his colleague, Minister Medja, has invited Indonesia to partake in the development of transportation infrastructure, especially railway transportation, in the country. Related news: Indonesia, Africa to be huge power if united: President Jokowi
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Translator: M Razi Rahman, Sri Haryati
Editor: Suharto
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